12 Main Pros and Cons of Egress Window | Cost of Egress Window Installation
What is an Egress Window? | Pros and Cons of Egress Window | Cost of Egress Window Installation | Benefits of Egress Window
What is an Egress Window?
An Egress window, also known as an emergency exit window, is a window large enough and low enough to allow inhabitants to escape via the aperture in the event of an emergency, such as a fire.
An egress window is a window that provides a way for people to escape from a room or building quickly.
Various construction standards in many countries provide detailed criteria for emergency windows in bedrooms.
Specifications for such windows may also allow emergency rescuers to enter. Buses and airplanes, for example, typically feature emergency escape windows.
The window must have a window well that is at least 42 inches wide and can allow a person to escape from the window.
The window must have a window well that is at least 36 inches deep and provide a minimum of 20 inches of headroom.
Egress windows are a requirement for any new federally-funded construction project.
Egress windows are not just for basements. They may be found in the living room, kitchen, or bedrooms.
Basement bedrooms and living rooms must have an egress window. Living rooms can be converted into offices, TV rooms, or workshops.
The typical cost of installing an egress window is from $1,000 to $5,000 per window. If, on the other hand, you install an egress casement window, you may expect a significantly lower installation cost.
For standard window types, labor expenses typically average approximately $40 per hour.
Benefits of Egress Window
An egress window is a window that provides a safe and easy exit in case of fire. In order for an egress window to be legal, it must meet specific requirements for size, opening direction, height from the floor, etc.
This type of window is specifically designed for emergency situations, such as fires or medical emergencies.
It provides a means of escape in case the main exit becomes blocked by smoke or other hazards during these types of emergencies.
An egress window also helps with air circulation within your home, which can help reduce allergens and improve indoor air quality overall.
Installing egress windows in your basement is very significant for improving the value of your house since it is the key to bringing basement bedrooms and living areas up to code and include them in total square footage calculations.
Pros and Cons of Egress Window
Pros of Egress Window
1. Safety
You can’t put a price on your family’s safety. Each year, the number of persons killed in accidents rises.
Designers spend more time in the lower sections of our homes as we begin to use more of our homes to enhance their livability.
In the case of a large house fire, having an escape window in your basement greatly enhances your chances of survival.
2. Air circulation
It is important to have enough fresh air circulating in your home. If the windows are closed, there are several places where moisture can collect.
By using up natural air currents, you can reduce your family’s exposure to airborne allergens. Having an egress window provides for this easy breeze.
3. Adds value to your property
Having a basement with more space makes it easier to use. If you plan on selling, you’ll want to include the addition of your basement in order to get the most value for your home.
4. Convenience
It is easy to forget that fire escapes are not only for fire emergencies only.
When you have young children or pets in your home, having an egress window gives you the option of taking them outside without having to go back upstairs first.
5. Functionality
Egress windows are generally larger than regular basement windows. This enables them to provide more air circulation, which is important in keeping mold and other sources of allergens out of the house.
They are large enough to allow you to easily exit if your main entry point becomes blocked by any number of things or persons during an emergency.
6. Increased comfort
They allow for proper air circulation in your home, which improves overall indoor air quality (IAQ) by reducing allergens and contaminants through letting in fresh air during the colder months of the year.
Egress windows also create an attractive level of sophistication within your home.
It provides natural light to your basement or living areas, making it more inviting. It also allows you to enjoy the outdoors even though you are indoors.
Cons of Egress Window
1. Cost
The cost-benefit analysis of adding egress windows will vary from home owner to home owner, depending on how often they will be used.
If you need an egress window only every few years, it may not be worth the expense.
However, if you need one frequently, for example for a home with young children who might occasionally climb out of the window, it is probably worth investing in.
2. Local construction codes & building permits
Every town and city have its own local construction codes, which are always unique. I
t is critical that you and your contractor be aware of local codes and that your egress windows are installed in accordance with those requirements.
Nothing is more inconvenient than installing egress windows only to have to remove and reinstall them because they are not up to code.
Since most jurisdictions require an egress window to be installed with a specific minimum size and direction as well as a minimum amount of head room and distance from trees and other buildings, you might need to obtain a building permit prior to installing one.
This is particularly true if you’re planning on building an extension on your home.
3. Air quality
There is always some risk involved in spending time in basements, regardless of whether or not there are egress windows.
Because of their proximity to the ground, they can often get damp and dirty with mold and mildew.
4. Moisture issues
Moisture problems might arise while using basement egress windows. To avoid this issue, make sure your window well is dug to the proper depth under the window.
Other precautions you may take include building basement drainage systems and ensuring that your gutter system drains runoff away from your property.
Egress Window FAQs
Why is egress window important?
Egress windows are important for fire safety. Egress windows or emergency exit windows, as they are also known, are required by code in every room of the house.
This is because they provide a secondary escape route in the event of an accident or fire.
These large windows, found on either side of the room and sometimes in the doorways, allow you to escape the building and direct emergency personnel to your location.
What is the purpose of egress windows?
Egress windows are primarily used in places like an office building or a school.
The main purpose of an egress window is to provide a safe and easy way to get out of the building in the event of an emergency.
It is these properties that make them different from other types of windows in that they must be accessible in case of an emergency.
All egress windows in the United States must meet specific requirements, such as being fast and easy
What is considered an egress window?
Egress windows are wide apertures that provide a backup escape in the event of an emergency.
They may also bring additional natural light to your basement, making it feel more welcoming.
Basement bedrooms and living areas must have egress windows. Living rooms can be converted into offices, TV rooms, or workshops.
How much does it cost to put in egress windows?
Your egress window will require specific frames or sills in order for it to be properly installed.
It will also need to be filled in with cement or brick, in order to make sure that the frame is sturdy enough to hold up in case of an emergency.
Additional fees could apply if your basement needs structural modifications so that it can accommodate an egress window.
If you have a concrete foundation, the price of adding an egress window will range from $1,000-$2,500.
Where is egress window most commonly found?
Egress windows are most often used in basements and living rooms due to their inherent safety. The living room provides a safe and easy way to get out of the house in the event of an emergency.
If your basement is prone to flooding, an egress window may also provide you with a crucial escape route should the need arise.
How often do I need to get egress windows installed?
Egress windows are typically recommended for every new home built since they help prevent deaths in the event of a fire.
This is why many housing developers will insist on them being installed on every home. If you buy a new home, make sure that your egress window is properly installed.
The most common types of egress windows require the installation of the sill plate and sill plates.
The sill plate is a metal piece that goes with your window and acts as a stop for the sash, which holds all of the glass.
The sill plate also stabilizes and protects the window about any movement that could happen in case of an emergency.
What are some common sizes for egress windows?
The window must have a window well that is at least 42 inches wide and can allow a person to escape from the window.
The window must have a window well that is at least 36 inches deep and provide a minimum of 20 inches of headroom.
The most common egress window sizes are 36″ X 72″, 36″ X 78″, and 42″ X 72″.
The room in which you plan on installing the new egress window will determine the size of your window. This is because it must provide an area that is large enough for you to escape from in case of an emergency.
What are the rules for egress windows?
An egress window is a vital component of any building. It provides an escape route in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Egress windows are often required by law to be larger than regular windows and must have a certain amount of clearance from nearby objects such as trees, buildings, etc.
How large does an egress window need to be?
All dimensions must be more than 380 mm (15 inches) If a window well is necessary, it must extend at least 760 mm (approximately 30 inches) from the window to provide for easy egress.
The depth of the window well opening must be greater than 760 mm (about 30 inches). Maximum sill height from the floor is 44 inches (1118 mm)..
